Executive Director, Technology Strategy & Operations

Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology

On any given day at Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology, we’re reimagining ways to create magical viewing experiences for the world’s most beloved stories while also transforming Disney’s media business for the future. Whether that’s evolving our streaming and digital products in new and immersive ways, powering worldwide advertising and distribution to maximize flexibility and efficiency, or delivering Disney’s unmatched entertainment and sports content, every day is a moment to make a difference to partners and to hundreds of millions of people around the world.

A few reasons why we think you’d love working for Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology

• Building the future of Disney’s media business: DE&E Technologists are designing and building the infrastructure that will power Disney’s media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.
• Reach & Scale: The products and platforms this group builds and operates delight millions of consumers every minute of every day – from Disney+ and Hulu, to ABC News and Entertainment, to ESPN and ESPN+, and much more.
• Innovation: We develop and execute groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and enhance how audiences experience sports, entertainment & news.

The Executive Director, Technology Strategy & Operations, supports the Chief Product & Technology Officer of the Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology organization in driving organizational alignment, key priorities, and partnerships. This role will have a high degree of visibility and responsibility to understand, articulate, and execute key strategic initiatives and projects.

This leader will work directly with the CPTO on defining product and platform strategy, researching competition, incubating new ideas, working with strategic technology partners and working directly with the CPTO on other day-to-day operating activities. They will ensure the broad strategic vision of the CPTO is communicated accurately and effectively throughout the technology organization, within TWDC and outside the company.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role

• Support the CPTO with facilitating the execution of organizational priorities through coordination, communications and project management
  • Lead and manage strategic projects, working with internal and external stakeholders to drive projects to completion
  • Conduct ad-hoc analysis (financial, strategic, operational) and advise the CPTO with concise, specific metrics and recommendations
  • Understand priorities and dependencies, as well as short term strategies, lay out project plans and drive consistent strategy articulation
  • Provide ongoing status updates, track work-streams and ensure progress is being made and deadlines are met
  • Manage the project/strategy/planning/status communications for Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology including design and development of Sr. Executive presentations
  • Oversee initiatives related to organization’s culture, including recognition & events, town halls, technology events, and community relations development
  • Manage partner relationships and projects (Apple, Twitter, Facebook, Google, Sony, etc.)
  • Lead the planning and development of the annual operating plan and long-range plan for technology coordinating with each of the technology leads and finance
  • Drive the plans for future communication “events”, and partner with Internal Communications to ensure all communication is delivered on time, accurately and in the tone and messaging that reflects the CPTO
• Strategy & Operations
  • Lead a mixed business and creative team that partners with the Business Operations organization and CPTO’s direct reports on all reporting and analysis needed across the organization
  • Responsible for executive storytelling for strategic initiatives for the sr. leadership team across Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology
  • Coordinate presentations and assist as necessary with critical meetings and speaking engagements including meetings with the Board of Directors
  • Partner with strategy organizations across Disney Entertainment and ESPN to ensure alignment between the business and technology

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training

• Minimum of 12+ years of progressive strategy work experience; preferable in a Technology organization
• Ability to influence in the absence of direct control
• Demonstrated ability to network extensively and build successful relationships internally and externally at all levels of management
• Expert project management skills with a track record of driving results
• Highly detail oriented, strong organizational skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and adjust quickly to shifting priorities and ambiguity
• Demonstrated ability to maintain standards of strict confidentiality with respect to all matters and documents to include but not limited to data, conversations, information, etc.
• Ability to function effectively in a highly charged executive environment, and the ability to discern when to act independently, while representing the CPTO office
• Excellent communication skills in presenting complex information to a variety of audiences
• Ability to be self-reliant, self-motivated and resourceful to lead processes that may not be clearly defined and are constantly evolving with an action-oriented mindset
• Strong written, presentation and oral communication skills for developing high-level presentations for senior executive audiences
• Demonstrated business and technology savviness, confidence and relationship management skills to interface with all levels of the Disney organization
• Strong digital communication savviness e.g. social media. Etc.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short term and long-term challenges
• BA/BS or equivalent experience required